BREAKING: Trump Visits a Mosque in the United Arab Emirates and Says Something Unexpected
In a dramatic act of diplomacy, President Donald Trump paid a historic visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Thursday — his first publicly acknowledged visit to a Muslim house of worship since he took office. The authorities shut down the white marble shrine, famous for its architectural magnificence and religious importance, to honor Trump’s visit.
A Gesture of Respect and Recognition
When he went inside the mosque, Trump took off his shoes, following Islamic tradition. He was joined by Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Impressed by the intricate architecture and religious atmosphere of the mosque, Trump said, “Isn’t this beautiful? It is so beautiful. This is an incredible culture.”
US President Donald Trump commented after his tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, saying: "This mosque is very beautiful, I am very proud of my friends, it's a wonderful culture." pic.twitter.com/UjOjrcQjxG
— khalid Chougle (@ChougleKhalid) May 15, 2025
Trump seemed touched by the respect of the temporary closure of the mosque for his visit. “This is the first time they closed the mosque for the day. Is that true? First time they closed it. It’s in honour of the United States, I think. Better than in honour of me. Let’s give it to the country. That’s a great tribute,” he said, according to the Washington Post.
A Contrasting Chapter in Trump’s History
This trip, as part of Trump’s larger Middle East tour, came on the heels of elaborate functions in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Arabian horses, ceremonial troops, and a red carpet reception welcomed him in all three Gulf countries — nations in which Trump also maintains sweeping business ventures, such as luxury real estate and golf ventures, as per NPR.
Trump’s bond with the UAE ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, has grown stronger through the years, especially following the Emirates’ unprecedented move to normalise relations with Israel under Trump’s Abraham Accords. Of interest is the fact that his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner had already visited the mosque in 2020 while working for him in his administration.
A Symbolic Shift in Rhetoric
This high-profile mosque visit represents a major change for Trump, who previously denounced President Obama for a mosque visit. In a 2016 interview on Fox News, Trump asked, “Maybe he feels comfortable there. There are a lot of places he can go, and he chose a mosque.”
In addition, his campaign in 2016 included harsh criticism of Muslim countries, including the spurious argument that mosques breed hateful ideologies. But at a Ramadan iftar at the White House last March, Trump delivered a different message: “The Muslim community was there for us in November. And while I’m president, I will be there for you.”
In a time of changing geopolitical alignments, Trump’s visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque may represent a new era in U.S.–Muslim world relations — one that prioritises dialogue, respect, and mutual recognition.